Top 10 Best Restaurants in International City, Dubai
Choose among:
- ✦ Charcoal grills
- ✦ Pakistani breakfast
- ✦ Syrian home cooking
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What people like
Charcoal grillsMixed grill, shish tawook and eggplant kebab are repeatedly praised for smoky flavour, tender meat and generous portions.
Syrian flavoursCustomers describe the food as authentic Syrian and Arabic, with shawarma, grilled dishes and fresh appetisers standing out.
Dyar Al Sham Restaurant is a relaxed International City destination for Syrian and broader Arabic food. Reviews point especially to its shawarma, charcoal grills and generous family-style meals, often finished with complimentary tea or sweets.
TipAllow extra time to park, especially late in the evening; free spaces exist but can be tricky and congested.
Choose Dyar Al Sham Restaurant for smoky charcoal grills, especially shish tawook and eggplant kebab.
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What people like
Charcoal chickenThe charcoal chicken is repeatedly described as juicy, fresh and full of authentic Arabic flavour.
Mixed grillThe mixed grill platter combines juicy kebabs, seasoned chicken, vegetables and crispy fries, with generous portions for sharing.
Al Farooj Al Shami is a Syrian restaurant in International City focused on Arabic cooking. Reviews make the charcoal chicken and mixed grill platter the clearest starting points, while the dining room is described as clean, traditionally styled and comfortable for group meals.
TipIf you are dining in, allow at least an extra hour to look for parking, especially around busy periods.
Choose Al Farooj Al Shami Restaurant for juicy charcoal chicken with authentic Arabic flavour.
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What people like
Tender muttonMutton mandi is praised for juicy, fall-off-the-bone meat and fragrant, well-spiced rice.
Chicken mandiChicken mandi is described as soft, flavorful and authentically seasoned, including on delivery orders.
Warsan Mandi Restaurant is a Yemeni restaurant in International City centred on mandi and Arabic rice dishes. Reviews point especially to the tender mutton mandi, chicken mandi and kunafa, with traditional seating and quick service also mentioned.
TipAsk about the cost of extra rice before ordering; one diner was charged 12 dhs for more.
Choose Warsan Mandi Restaurant for tender, authentically seasoned chicken mandi.
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What people like
Beef biryaniThe beef biryani is praised for tender meat, fluffy rice and generous portions, with one reviewer calling it among the UAE's best.
Chennai flavourThe Chennai-style biryani is described as fragrant, balanced and tender, with rice that carries the meat-stock flavour.
TAZA Biryani & Grills is a Chennai-style biryani and grill restaurant in International City. Reviews point to beef and mutton biryani, Chicken 65, and Delhi-style Aslam Butter Chicken with Rumali Roti as the main reasons to visit.
TipOrder the beef biryani if available; reviewers particularly praise its tender meat and Chennai-style rice.
Choose TAZA Biryani & Grills – Chennai Style Biryani for Chennai-style biryani with fluffy, fragrant rice.
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What people like
Chapli KababThe chapli kabab is described as juicy, aromatic and smoky, with generous servings.
BiryaniKarachi-style biryani is one of the more distinctive dishes mentioned by customers.
Lala Darbar is an Authentic Desi Restaurant in International City serving Pakistani favourites in a decorated, family-friendly setting. Reviews particularly highlight the mutton karahi, chapli kabab and Karachi-style biryani, although consistency can vary between visits.
TipAsk about accompaniments before ordering starters: one visit had only ketchup and imli chutney available.
Choose Lala Darbar | Authentic Pakistani Cuisine for juicy, smoky chapli kabab with generous servings.
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What people like
Generous portionsPortions are often large enough to share, with one main course reportedly serving two to three people.
Grilled meatsThe lamb kofta was praised for its seasoning, while the lamb chops were charred outside and tender inside.
Mawlana Turkish Cuisine is a Turkish restaurant in International City, inside Dragon Mart 2, with a polished, cozy setting and a menu ranging from charcoal-grilled meats to family-friendly choices. Reviews particularly point to the Iskender Doner and generous portions, while outdoor seating and shisha offer a more relaxed way to linger.
TipConsider sharing a main: one reviewer said a single course can serve two to three people.
Choose Mawlana Turkish Cuisine for tender Turkish grills and a more polished setting.
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What people like
Signature BowlThe Daal Chawal is the standout comfort-food order, with several reviewers comparing it to homemade food.
Breakfast BuffetThe breakfast buffet includes Pakistani favourites such as nihari, paye, halwa puri and qeema, with freshly fried puri and unlimited tea noted by reviewers.
Daal Chawal Restaurant is a Pakistani/Indian cuisine restaurant in International City, known for its home-style Daal Chawal bowl and desi breakfast buffet. It also serves grilled dishes, with reviewers especially noting its BBQ and generous portions.
TipFor a desi morning meal, consider the breakfast buffet: reviewers highlighted nihari, paye, halwa puri, qeema and unlimited tea.
Choose Daal Chawal Restaurant (International City) for a wide Pakistani breakfast buffet with freshly fried puri.
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What people like
Home CookingReviewers describe the Syrian food as genuinely home-style, with one saying it recalls homemade meals in Damascus.
Fresh PortionsReviews regularly mention fresh ingredients, generous servings and good quality-to-quantity value.
Al Abaq Al Shami is a Syrian and Levantine restaurant in International City, with a home-cooking style that reviewers return to for delivery and pickup. Named favourites include mansaf and sheshbarak, while the changing daily menu and Ramadan subscription add practical options for regular orders.
TipOrder ahead if you want a daily meal: one regular customer says the meals often sell out.
Choose Al Abaq Al Shami Restaurant International City for Syrian home-style dishes with generous portions.
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